FORT WORTH, Texas -- North Texas' most experienced meteorologist, David Finfrock, reaches a milestone: 30 years forecasting North Texas weather.

Finfrock has seen the evolution of forecasting go from hand drawn maps to 3-D computer animation. Today's technology, such as StormTrack 5, a million-watt doppler radar, provides the most detailed look at approaching storms, making forecasting more accurate and up-to-the-minute. NBC 5 continues to stay at the forefront of technology and forecasting.

Finfrock was live on the air when a devastating tornado hit downtown Fort Worth in May 2000. His knowledge and experience helped those in the path of the twister. He was also on the air in May 1995 when visitors to Mayfest and parts of Fort Worth were pounded by hail the size of softballs. He understands the extreme weather conditions North Texans face. Most recently, Finfrock and his team were the only meteorologists to accurately forecast the winter storm on Dec. 7, 2005.

Finfrock and NBC 5 plan to continue their partnership for many years to come. NBC 5 Vice-President of News, Susan Tully just announced Finfrock has signed a six-year contract to remain chief meteorologist through 2012. "David's experience and scientific training makes him one of the top television meteorologists in the nation and, even more important to our audience, the most qualified in all of North Texas. With David's new long-term agreement our viewers know we have the commitment to remain their No. 1 source for weather," according to Tully.

Finfrock can be seen weekdays on NBC 5 at 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts Monday through Friday. Finfrock and his team of meteorologists can been seen on the exclusive NBC 5 Weather Plus channel available on digital channel 5.2, Comcast channel 227, Charter channel 105, USDTV, and nbc5i.com reporting weather conditions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Dallas Press Club honored Finfrock with a Katie Award for Best Weathercast in Texas. He was the Fort Worth Star Telegram's Viewers Choice Award for Best Meteorologist. He was also a finalist for an Emmy and Katie Award for the work that he did as a documentary host.

The legendary Harold Taft handpicked Finfrock to follow in his footsteps. After the loss of Taft to cancer in 1991, Finfrock took over as chief meteorologist. He has led the NBC 5 weather team; a staff that is and always has been trained meteorologists. It is a standard set by Taft and one that NBC 5 follows to this day.

Finfrock joined NBC 5/KXAS-TV, Dec. 21, 1975, as a meteorologist after spending time as a field researcher on the Juneau Icefield Research Program in Alaska. Finfrock actually began working for Taft 30 years ago, in December 1975, but didn't begin on air broadcast until January 1976. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology and also completed some graduate work while at Texas A&M.

NBC 5 / KXAS-TV / nbc5i.com and Telemundo 39 / KXTX-TV are the NBC owned and operated media centers serving the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.